Maryland Man Found Convicted of Sexual Assault on Baltimore Cruise Ship

Baltimore, Maryland - After a two-week trial, a federal jury found Jalen Thomas Kelley, 22, Abingdon, Maryland, guilty of aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, and assault within the territorial jurisdiction.

Erek L. Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland announced the verdict with Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Baltimore Field Office.

"Sexual violence is a horrific violation of personal autonomy and will not be tolerated. We will hold perpetrators accountable," said U.S. Attorney Barron. "This verdict should send a message to survivors that they are heard, validated and supported."

According to the evidence presented at trial, between January 1, and January 2, 2023, the defendant forcibly raped and assaulted the victim, who was a minor at the time, aboard the Carnival Legend. The cruise vessel was scheduled to return to Baltimore on January 2. In addition to the charged offenses, during trial, prosecutors presented testimony from six other individuals who alleged Kelley sexually assaulted them on separate occasions. Kelley faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

"We will never stop working to serve justice for the victims of predators like Mr. Kelley, no matter where the crime occurs," said FBI Baltimore DelBagno said. "Today's conviction reflects the unwavering resolve of the FBI to protect our communities and keep Americans safe."

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit www.justice.gov/psc and click on the "Resources" tab on the left of the page.

U.S. Attorney Barron commended the FBI, for its work in the case, and thanked the Harford County State's Attorney's Office; Harford Country Sherriff's Office; Union County North Carolina District Attorney's Office; Wingate University Campus Safety; and the Wingate Police Department for their assistance. Additionally, Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean R. Delaney and Colleen Elizabeth McGuinn, who prosecuted the federal case. He also recognized FBI Special Agent Calista Walker and Legal Administrative Specialist Julie Jarman.

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney's Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

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